READ: 2 Timothy 3:11-17
Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
2 Timothy 2:10
Endure all things that God allows you to go through, whatever they may be. Endure all and not some of the things. Enduring some things will not let the correction seep in and change your life. Endure the afflictions of punishment. There will be persecutions against you. There will be afflictions because you are God’s servant.
Endure sound and good teachings. Why would you have to endure sound teaching? Because really good teaching does not just praise you. People want to have praises heaped upon their heads. People want to hear that good things are going to happen to them. People want to hear nice things only (2 Timothy 4:3). But indeed, sound preaching and good teaching always involve a lot of reproving rebuking and correcting.
I once knew a sister who had two pastors. She would listen to them both but eventually fell in love with the counsel and teachings that came from the smooth sounding pastor. She forsook the teacher who was giving her sound doctrine, correcting her and rebuking her constantly. She became totally immersed in the smooth talking, teaching and counselling that was heaped on her and totally gave herself to that teacher.
Deception is real! Truth is hard! Truth is sometimes nasty. Truth about us is often difficult to believe or bear. Eventually, the smooth-talking teacher destroyed this immature sister and she could not believe what had happened to her. But she would not have been deceived if she was just willing to receive correction and rebukes which were due her as part of growing up in the Lord.
Be forewarned and do not become an example of someone having itching ears who heaps to himself teachers who tell him what he want to hear.